Murder Investigations of Parler W Edwards and Ernest Jones (New York State Police)

Dear Brett Michael Battaglia-Szyjka,
This message confirms receipt of your request. Your request was received in this office on 1/13/2025 and given the reference number R001379-011325 for tracking purposes. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

Documents related to the murder investigations of 71-year-old Parler W. Edwards and 40-year-old Ernest Jones. The murders occurred on October 8th and 9th, 1980 in or near Buffalo, New York. The murders were investigated as part of a task force by the Buffalo Police Department, New York State Police Department, Erie County Sheriff's Office, Cheektowaga Sheriff's Office, Town of Tonawanda Police Department, Erie County District Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), among others.

I kindly request the disclosure of the following information and records, including but not limited to:
- Autopsy reports of both victims
- Investigation records, including case files, incident reports, and evidence logs
- Audio recordings related to the investigation, such as 911 calls, police radio transmissions, and interviews
- Phone logs and transcripts pertaining to communication between individuals involved in the case
- Interview records, including transcripts, summaries and notes from interviews conducted with witnesses, suspects, and persons of interest
- DNA reports and analysis results related to the crime scene and evidence collected
- Letters, correspondence, and written communications associated with the investigation
- Photographs depicting the crime scene, victims, suspects, and evidence
- Notes, memoranda and internal communications related to the investigation, including relevant inter-agency communications

Further, I request that the scope of this FOIA request includes any records generated by the .22-Caliber Task Force, which investigated the killings.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Brett Michael Battaglia-Szyjka

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We will provide you with an acknowledgment within 5 business days.


Sincerely,
New York State Police

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RE: FOIL Records Request of January 13, 2025, Reference # R001379-011325
Dear Brett Michael Battaglia-Szyjka,
The New York State Police received a FOIL request from you on January 13, 2025.
Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate program area(s) to identify documents that are responsive to your request and which may be made available pursuant to all applicable provisions of the Freedom of Information Law.
A determination as to whether your request is granted or denied will be reached in approximately 120 business days or we will notify you in writing if the responsible program area(s) should require additional time to locate, assemble and review documents that may be responsive to your request.
Please note that, pursuant to Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, a charge may be applied to your request, including the actual cost of the medium used to respond to your Freedom of Information Law request and/or other related costs. When responsive records have been identified, you will be informed of any cost and how payment should be made.
Sincerely,
New York State Police
1220 Washington Avenue, Bldg. 22
Albany, NY 12226-2252